Slap bass is hard
- Thread starter solspirit
- Start date
ICTGoober
New member
Thus proving that the term "bass guitar" is a misnomer.
Bass lines connect the rhythm of the drums to the chord support of the tune. Many folks are surprised to learn that basslines are often played in slightly different time than the guitar chords....It's more about feel - keeping the asses moving. The tricky part is singing and playing bass - you are literally playing 2 parts at once that don't always mesh together. A guitar - you can chop away at the same chord 4 times if the song calls for it, while you wail into the mic.... To be good at bass - you have to commit. You can't just pick up one and shine without a little mental adjustment. And - it's more physical.
Bass lines connect the rhythm of the drums to the chord support of the tune. Many folks are surprised to learn that basslines are often played in slightly different time than the guitar chords....It's more about feel - keeping the asses moving. The tricky part is singing and playing bass - you are literally playing 2 parts at once that don't always mesh together. A guitar - you can chop away at the same chord 4 times if the song calls for it, while you wail into the mic.... To be good at bass - you have to commit. You can't just pick up one and shine without a little mental adjustment. And - it's more physical.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
I don't know. I play both and tend to drift between styles of play with them. Sometimes I play the guitar like a bass, sometimes I play the bass like a guitar. One thing's for certain. After one plays bass for a few years, one definitely tends to use heavier gauge strings on a guitar. 9's are barely playable and 7's or 8's feel like you're trying to play hair.
Blille
New member
Smells like teen spirit is a great example of that.
Part three here 4:11:
https://youtu.be/6YlWaomEO8k?t=251
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
All things being equal, bass is technically easier since you only have to play 1 note at a time. That doesn't mean it doesn't have its own challenges or playing it at a high level isn't hard.
This guy breaks down slap really well. Apparently, it's slapping with your thumb, popping with the fingers, then there's also hammering with your left hand. So it's coordinating all those things to be able to subdivide rhythmically, it isn't only right hand doing the rhythms.
This guy breaks down slap really well. Apparently, it's slapping with your thumb, popping with the fingers, then there's also hammering with your left hand. So it's coordinating all those things to be able to subdivide rhythmically, it isn't only right hand doing the rhythms.
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
Kris was an under the radar bad ass.
Blille
New member
Erlend_G
New member
I remember when I learned the slap bass technique-
I was about 13, I'd sit with the bass on my lap, browsing the SDUGF and slapping, every night- for months
.
eventually, I "got it going".
...sounding really /good/ though :/ ... is really hard. Slapping often sounds cheesy ..
I was about 13, I'd sit with the bass on my lap, browsing the SDUGF and slapping, every night- for months
.eventually, I "got it going".
...sounding really /good/ though :/ ... is really hard. Slapping often sounds cheesy ..
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Slap bass isn't 'hard', it's just different. Like, if you are a violnist, trying out a wind instrument seems 'hard'. But if you put aside your guitar thinking, and just learn slap bass as a new form, you just have to get the hang of it; like the first time you had to get the hang of finger coordination to make chords on a guitar.
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
You're right, It's basically just learning a new instrument. I thought I could transition easily from a guitar but I'm learning that it's not so easy.
Blille
New member
Honestly, you can. I’ve seen a lot of guitar players pick a bass, play simple lines with a pick, not care and call it a day.
But the instrument has a lot of depth and its role in the mix is absolutely different. A few months ago I got really into it and I really enjoy it.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Two keys to Slap if you really want to learn it.
-Light gauge stainless steel strings
-Compression
Yes, a great player can do it on old flats but the light, bright steel combined with compression really helps it all come together.
-Light gauge stainless steel strings
-Compression
Yes, a great player can do it on old flats but the light, bright steel combined with compression really helps it all come together.
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
^^
That's what it came with, I'll try a set of flats soon.
What guage do you guys recommend?
Yeah, a compressor is always a good thing here since slapping is 10x louder than normal bass playing. Annoying if the bass player is doing it in between all of the (non-slap) songs in rehearsal.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Are you sure it came with stainless steel? Was it used? Almost always they ship with nickel coated steel. Stainless has a different color.
45-100 is like the 10s of the guitar world. 45-100 nickel coated steel is a good middle ground for everything. If you want slap, 40-95 SS will give you a little boost. Flats are awesome (especially medium gauge) for R&B, Blues, Motown, classic rock, etc. You can do it all with nickel/steel 45-100 or 45-105, going with other strings helps push you in each direction.
(I have SS on my active 5, nickel steel on my jazz and soon to be flats on my new to me P Bass)
